Translations of Tibetan Buddhist Texts
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Latest major translation
14 June 2022
Chanting the Names of Noble Mañjuśrī
| Mañjuśrī
from the Words of the Buddha
Commonly known as simply the Nāmasaṅgīti, this is one of the most highly revered tantras throughout all lineages and practice systems of Vajrayāna Buddhism. In it, Buddha Śākyamuni teaches Vajrapāṇi and his retinue a list of names for the wisdom body of Mañjuśrī, the heart of all tathāgatas. Expressed in attractive and at time playful verses, these names evoke an extremely vast array of topics and images, from the mundane to the transcendent, and from the quiescent to the ferocious. The Nāmasaṅgīti has occupied a central role in the daily chanting of Buddhist practitioners for centuries and is often the first text to be recited on special occasions.
Latest from the Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö Sungbum Project
May 2022
Vast Clouds of Blessings: In Praise of the Omniscient Lord of Dharma | Praise
by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö
Jamyang Khyentse composed these verses in praise of Longchen Rabjam (1308–1364) during a visit to the master's cave on the slopes of Gangri Tökar. Read text >
Waves of Devotion: A Song Recalling the Omniscient King of Dharma | Songs & Poems
by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö
Composed in 1932, this song of devotion invokes the Dzogchen master Longchen Rabjam (1308–1364) and appeals for his inspiration and blessings as a means to progress along the path. Read text >
Other recent additions
May – June 2022
A Clear, Concise and Simple Explanation of the Generation and Completion Stages for the Benefit of Beginners | Kyerim
by Shechen Gyaltsab Gyurme Pema Namgyal
This pithy text provides beginners with a clear, comprehensible explanation of kyerim (bskyed rim), or the generation stage, including all the most important points of practice, such as the three samādhis, four aspects of recitation, and four stakes that secure the life-force (srog sdom gzer bzhi). Read text >
Naturally Liberating Whatever You Meet: Instructions to Guide You along the Profound Path | Dzogchen
by Khenpo Gangshar Wangpo
Perhaps Khenpo Gangshar's most famous work, this pithy guide to Dzogchen practice includes instructions on the uncommon preliminaries, the analytical meditations of a paṇḍita, and the main practice, which is the resting meditation of a kusulu, as well as how to integrate the practice. Read text >
Latest from the Longchen Nyingtik Project
May 2022
Ornament of the Vidyādharas’ Wisdom: A Recitation Manual for the Great Compassionate One, Natural Liberation of Suffering (Dukngal Rangdrol) | Longchen Nyingtik
by Khenpo Pema Vajra
The largest commentary on Dukngal Rangdrol, this text provides a detailed explanation of how to do a retreat on Avalokiteśvara according to the Longchen Nyingtik. Drawing on Jigme Lingpa's own commentary The Visionary Instructions, the manual explains how beginners should practise the approach phase and how more advanced practitioners can practice the approach and accomplishment phases in union. The text concludes with an overview of how the path is brought to fruition. Read text >
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Highlights from archive
The Rishi's Maledictory Incantation: An Invocation of Wisdom Mind and Sacred Pledges for Reversing the Disturbances and Agitations of Dark Times in the Form of an Aspiration Prayer | Averting Obstacles
by Chatral Rinpoche
This is a prayer for the modern age, or kaliyuga, calling upon Buddha Śākyamuni, Guru Padmasambhava and all enlightened deities, gurus and protectors, in order to transform the minds of those in positions of power, so that terrible weapons of war may be eradicated, and the threats they pose to Dharma and living beings removed, allowing peace to reign throughout the world. Read text >
Beautiful String of Jewels: A Heart Advice | Advice
by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö
Jamyang Khyentse offered these words of heart-advice, encapsulating the entire Buddhist path, to Khandro Tsering Chödrön (1929–2011), his spiritual consort. Read text >
* Lotsāwa ལོ་ཙཱ་བ་; lo tsā ba n. Title used for native Tibetan translators who worked together with Indian scholars (or paṇḍitas) to translate major buddhist texts into Tibetan from Sanskrit and other Asian languages; it is said to derive from lokacakṣu, literally "eyes of the world". See also paṇḍita.
